Traits of a student who is likely to fail.

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The failing student expects the instructor to “teach them” the material.

Students that are the most successful take ownership of the learning process, and view their instructor as the facilitator of the learning.

The failing student regards the assigned reading as “suggested reading”.

These students feel that if the information is important the instructor will lecture on it. The student with this attitude sometimes scrapes by with a barely passing grade.

The failing student has done the bare minimum of work in the past.

They find themselves without the base of knowledge the instructor expects of students entering his/her class. This student passes the lower level classes with just a “C” and is now at an extreme disadvantage in the upper level classes.

The failing student comes to class exhausted.

A student who was up all night whether it was due to drinking or simply being a good mother will have a hard time focusing in class. It is important to figure out where school is on your list of priorities and plan childcare, social activities etcetera around school.

The failing student has poor class attendance.

This student feels that lecture is a waste of time. The student rationalizes this by thinking they will make it up by studying a little more.

The failing student is not studying at all or waiting until the last minute to study.

This student feels that if they start studying too soon they will just forget the material when it is time to take the test.

Don't be the student who fails. Take responsibility for your success in school!  College Study Skills